This summer, on Lake Michigan, the back cabin of our Hunter 35.5 got very hot and humid. With a dodger over the ceiling port, and a very small port opening to the cockpit, it was difficult to ventilate. Fans are helpful, but it is still difficult to ventilate efficently. Has anyone come up with a solution to this problem, short of air conditioning?
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Jim Ewing
Close down
Carl, It depends on if you're at the dock or at anchor. If at the dock try ventilating with small AC fans. They move a lot more air than the DC fans most boats have. We have a 37.5 and at dock the AC fans are in use all the time. If you're at anchor try opening the forward hatch (use a chute scoop or similar if you have one) and closing down all opening hatches and ports except for those in the aft cabin. This includes the companionway. This forces all the air coming in the front to exit through the aft cabin. It does work but it requires wind. Jim "Prospect"
Carl, It depends on if you're at the dock or at anchor. If at the dock try ventilating with small AC fans. They move a lot more air than the DC fans most boats have. We have a 37.5 and at dock the AC fans are in use all the time. If you're at anchor try opening the forward hatch (use a chute scoop or similar if you have one) and closing down all opening hatches and ports except for those in the aft cabin. This includes the companionway. This forces all the air coming in the front to exit through the aft cabin. It does work but it requires wind. Jim "Prospect"
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Bill Moffett
ventilate 35.5
I know what you are talking about. We experienced the same this year on Lake Ontario. We used portable fans plus opened our dodger corners to let air into the cabin and head. It wasn't always the best but it was better.
I know what you are talking about. We experienced the same this year on Lake Ontario. We used portable fans plus opened our dodger corners to let air into the cabin and head. It wasn't always the best but it was better.
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Michael Cohn
Hella fan
I've had very good luck with the Hella fans. They move a lot of air, are relatively quiet, draw very little power, and are quite relaible. Avoid Guest fans. MC
I've had very good luck with the Hella fans. They move a lot of air, are relatively quiet, draw very little power, and are quite relaible. Avoid Guest fans. MC
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Wynn Ferrel
I "second" that!
I was wondering when a "fan discussion" would surface. I wanted to purchase Hella fans with my new boat, but my dealer talked me out of them in favor of Guest fans. Since I have no basis of comparision, I would tell you that my impression of Guest fans is that they are noisy, especially in a small space like an aft compartment. It's not the the fan motor is noisy, it is that the fan is pushing too much air. Also, out of four fans installed after 10 months, one has been pulled and returned to the factory for repair or replacement. Not a big deal, just bothersome. Does anyone have experience with both Guest and Hella fans? If so, which is better and why? Man, I love this forum!!! I've learned so much in such a short period of time. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
I was wondering when a "fan discussion" would surface. I wanted to purchase Hella fans with my new boat, but my dealer talked me out of them in favor of Guest fans. Since I have no basis of comparision, I would tell you that my impression of Guest fans is that they are noisy, especially in a small space like an aft compartment. It's not the the fan motor is noisy, it is that the fan is pushing too much air. Also, out of four fans installed after 10 months, one has been pulled and returned to the factory for repair or replacement. Not a big deal, just bothersome. Does anyone have experience with both Guest and Hella fans? If so, which is better and why? Man, I love this forum!!! I've learned so much in such a short period of time. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
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Dakota Jim Russell
Wynn: $50 Hellas are great, the $25 Hellas Are Not
Careful as there are two Hella Models. The ones that go for about $25 tend to be noisier. The $50 +/- units are quite good and relatively quiet. They aren't a pain to install, either. Wynn: Tell your wife its a good Christmas Gift, and that she will sleep better next summer. She should always send the gift with a Hallmark Card, however. <grin>. For a small price I'll come down and install them for you if I make the trip to see my son this fall.
Careful as there are two Hella Models. The ones that go for about $25 tend to be noisier. The $50 +/- units are quite good and relatively quiet. They aren't a pain to install, either. Wynn: Tell your wife its a good Christmas Gift, and that she will sleep better next summer. She should always send the gift with a Hallmark Card, however. <grin>. For a small price I'll come down and install them for you if I make the trip to see my son this fall.
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Wynn Ferrel
Thanks for the offer!
You've got a deal! Thanks for the recomendation and the offer. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
You've got a deal! Thanks for the recomendation and the offer. Wynn Ferrel S/V Tranquility
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Michael Cohn
$50 vs. $25 Hella fans
I have both types on my H45 - the $ 50 variety in each of the staterooms, and the $ 25 one mounted at my nav station (I sometimes do a bit of sweating while navigating - I'm sure everyone understands!). I have to agree the the $ 25 model is smaller and a bit noisier, and it only has one speed...however, for my particular application, the larger fan would have been overkill and wouldn't have looked very good. I think both fans are great pieces of equipment at a fair price. I used to have a Guest fan in my main cabin, but it literally tore itself to pieces after about a month of use. I need to buy another Hella to replace it. MC
I have both types on my H45 - the $ 50 variety in each of the staterooms, and the $ 25 one mounted at my nav station (I sometimes do a bit of sweating while navigating - I'm sure everyone understands!). I have to agree the the $ 25 model is smaller and a bit noisier, and it only has one speed...however, for my particular application, the larger fan would have been overkill and wouldn't have looked very good. I think both fans are great pieces of equipment at a fair price. I used to have a Guest fan in my main cabin, but it literally tore itself to pieces after about a month of use. I need to buy another Hella to replace it. MC
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Roger Magill
Back to the question at hand....
Fans are good, but I agree, the aft stateroom in our H35.5 seems to retain so much heat that I have contemplated putting in an extra opening port in the upper, aft bulkhead. This would open facing aft, directly in front of the port side, aft lazzerette. Another (more drastic) thought has been to place a high quality, low profile opening hatch in the deck directly forward of the steering pedestal. This would allow not only passive ventilation, but another spot to rig a "windscoop". Only those who have sweltered through an August night on the muggy Chesapeake can appreciate the desperation that would lead to this solution.
Fans are good, but I agree, the aft stateroom in our H35.5 seems to retain so much heat that I have contemplated putting in an extra opening port in the upper, aft bulkhead. This would open facing aft, directly in front of the port side, aft lazzerette. Another (more drastic) thought has been to place a high quality, low profile opening hatch in the deck directly forward of the steering pedestal. This would allow not only passive ventilation, but another spot to rig a "windscoop". Only those who have sweltered through an August night on the muggy Chesapeake can appreciate the desperation that would lead to this solution.
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Michael Cohn
Roger..
As long asyou don't compromise structural integrity, I think putting in an extra port AND a fan sounds like a good solution. MC
As long asyou don't compromise structural integrity, I think putting in an extra port AND a fan sounds like a good solution. MC
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